Search
Insights > Indianola lineman recognized for skills, work ethic, service to customers
Indianola lineman recognized for skills, work ethic, service to customers
12/03/2024
Throughout football season, fans see games won or lost based on how well the linemen protect the quarterback. The linemen are an essential part of the team, just as Entergy linemen are an integral part of the Entergy Mississippi team. It is important to recognize both kinds of linemen and how hard they work to protect their teams and customers.
The Entergy Kent Hull Lineman of the Year Award is given annually to the best collegiate offensive lineman in Mississippi who most displays the strength, quickness, toughness, intelligence, intense work ethic and humility that Greenwood native Kent Hull displayed when he played on the Mississippi State University and the Buffalo Bills football teams and when he created the Hull Foundation, whose mission is raising funds to support organizations serving the needs of less fortunate children, specifically in Mississippi. When the Kent Hull Award is presented to the football team member on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving each year, Entergy Mississippi also selects one of our all-star linemen to be recognized for outstanding work in the field. This year, Cedrick Jackson, a shift serviceman in the Indianola office, was selected because of his hard work, dedication and service to customers.
“Cedrick is a hard worker who is always willing to go the extra mile for our customers,“ said Kezwick Akon, line supervisor for the Indianola office. “In addition to setting a good example, he is also willing to take extra time to help our new linemen learn the ropes and answer any questions they may have.”
With more than 20 years of experience with Entergy, Jackson began working as a trainee in the Greenville network following 12 weeks of initial training at the Entergy training center in Clinton. While in Greenville, he became a lineman in 2006 and then transferred to the Indianola office in the Cleveland network the following year.
For several years, he worked on reliability projects that included inspecting the lines, making repairs and coordinating more extensive repairs with Entergy employees in Jackson. After working as a troubleman, he became a shift serviceman. In this role, he handles regular work orders, installs meters and responds when a call comes in from a customer in his territory, which covers Indianola south to Yazoo City. He is the first one to go and determine the source of the trouble.
Helping customers tops the lists of what Jackson enjoys about his job.
“When a customer has a problem and I’m able to correct the problem and have a nice conversation with the customer—that’s what I really enjoy,” said Jackson. “I was always taught to help people. If you can help them, you should help them.”
In addition to helping Entergy Mississippi customers, he has served on mutual assistance crews after hurricanes, with work in Tampa, Florida being among the most memorable.
“We went to Florida to work on power restoration after a hurricane with a crew from Greenville,” said Jackson. “We worked with guys from Tampa Electric and they were very, very nice to us.”
A graduate of Mississippi Valley State University, Jackson and his wife reside in Inverness with their two daughters. In addition to volunteering at school and church, he also enjoys hunting, helping on the family farm and traveling with his family.
